Parents join their kids in NS training

KUALA KRAI, Malaysia - For the first time, 40 family members of National Service trainees have been allowed to take part in activities with their children at the Batu Jong camp.

National Service (NS) Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said the joint activities were introduced under a programme to bring the community together with the trainees.

He said the requests for family participation were approved as a way to get a better understanding of the situation at the NS camp.

"The programme is available only at Batu Jong camp for now. Parents and guardians will take part in classes and outdoor activities attended by their children until noon only.

"Hopefully, this will remove misperceptions among parents on the NS programme," he said after launching the joint programme at the Batu Jong camp.

Hadi said families could also tour the camp site and observe training facilities used by their children.

He said previously, the department only allowed the families to meet their children during weekends.

In Kuala Lumpur, the National Service Training Council said it was considering using the swimming pools owned by state or local authorities for its water-based training modules.

Council chairman Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe said the suggestion was in lieu of the proposed swimming pools to be constructed at the 79 training camps nationwide.

"The proposal is still at discussion stage, so we are looking at conducive alternatives, including using the rivers and sea for the activities."

Tiki said the proposal would be discussed in depth with the other 11 council members on July 3.